Related Articles
Lexington struggled against a short passing game with White Knoll Friday night, giving up 443 yards on what was essentially an extended run game with a lot of tunnels and bubbles. This vulnerability has been there all season and needs to be worked on for the playoffs. Offensively, they played very well, getting 200 yards from RB Jonah Norris, solid performance from QB Taiden Mines and WR Kamadi Maxwell, and Jarrod Mewborn was a monster on returns, with 176 return yards, finishing with 223 all purpose yards. This week, they take on a bad Aiken team that should be an opportunity to get starters out early for some rest before facing Dutch Fork for what will be for the Region title.
Dutch Fork absolutely crushed Chapin this week, allowing just 49 total yards and -2 yards rushing. This defense is nasty with the best collection of linebackers in the Midlands. More importantly, however, is they are now passing the football with QB Aliam Appler back and that opens up their ground game even more. Appler, himself, is a run threat rushing for 108 yards on 14 carries and 4 rushing touchdowns in two weeks. This week, the Foxes travel to take on River Bluff, who was off this past week but has lost two of their last three.
The Blythewood Bengals got a huge win over Region favorite Clover on Friday and their defense is playing outstanding football. QB Harrison Collins played well again for the Bengals and this team seems to be peaking at the right time. They take on a bad Rock Hill team this week and a win, combined with a win by Spring Valleyj over Nation Ford this week will set up a showdown between the two Midlands teams for the region crown.
Sumter moved to 7-1 with their win over Carolina Forest this past week. RB John Peeples seems to be the force for the Sumter offense right now and they will face ST James this week and finish with Conway next week. The Gamecocks won’t lose in region play.
River Bluff was idle this week and will host Dutch Fork this Friday. The Gators have struggled against the run a couple of times this season and will face one of the Midlands top backs. The Silver Foxes defense will be the best that River Bluff has seen, though Dutch Fork has not beaten anyone that has a threatening ground game.
Spring Valley got a late touchdown to win over Fort Mill. The Vikings are strong on defense, led by linebacker David Wilson who had 20 tackles in the game. This week, they take on Nation Ford and a win here and over Blythewood throws this region into a 3-way tie for the crown.
Chapin was pummeled by Dutch Fork this past week, giving up 435 yards of offense to the Silver Foxes and managing just 29 total yards. This team is simply not very good on offense or defense and they will face a White Knoll team who has high production on offense and is physical on defense. As I stated a few weeks ago, I don’t see this team winning a region game.
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | CARRIES | YARDS | TDS |
| Norris, Jonah | Lexington | 199 | 1629 | 23 |
| Johns, Cooper | River Bluff | 153 | 1343 | 17 |
| Green, Jarvis | Dutch Fork | 1085 | 906 | 11 |
| Ross, Jesse | White Knoll | 140 | 750 | 10 |
| Fuller, Zion | Spring Valley | 94 | 632 | 6 |
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | Rec | Rec Yds |
Rec Tds |
| Tyler, Deon | Blythewood | 28 | 626 | 9 |
| Mewborn,Jarrod | Lexington | 26 | 576 | 6 |
| Maxwell, Kamadi | Lexington | 34 | 560 | 7 |
| Gary, Josh | Blythewood | 37 | 501 | 4 |
| Cunningham, Austin | White Knoll | 37 | 493 | 8 |
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | Att | Comp | Pass Yards |
Pass TDs |
| Mines, Taiden | Lexington | 158 | 104 | 1555 | 16 |
| Sharpe, Landon | White Knoll | 175 | 112 | 1547 | 19 |
| Collins, Harrison | Blythewood | 128 | 83 | 1451 | 15 |
| Albro, Brady | Chapin | 214 | 141 | 1391 | 13 |
| Merchant,Pete | Sumter | 116 | 65 | 852 | 4 |
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | TACKLES |
| Wilson, David | Spring Valley | 127 |
| Hinton, Jaylin | Dutch Fork | 81 |
| Sexton, Christian | Lexington | 81 |
| Robinson, Edward | Blythewood | 80 |
| Stoudemire, Tyler | White Knoll | 74 |
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | TFL |
| Robinson, Edward | Blythewood | 30 |
| Williams, Zarion | Blythewood | 18 |
| Rose, J | Sumter | 12.5 |
| Buetow, John | Dutch Fork | 12 |
| Sexton, Christian | Lexington | 11.5 |
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | SACKS |
| Robinson, Edward | Blythewood | 22 |
| Williams, Zarion | Blythewood | 9 |
| Byrd,Montrell | Lexington | 4.5 |
| Banks, Demenico | White Knoll | 4 |
| Jordan, Dakota | Dutch Fork | 4 |
| Wells, Terrance | Dutch Fork | 4 |
| China, Alex | Spring Valley | 4 |
| Burton, Jalin | Spring Valley | 4 |
| PLAYER | SCHOOL | INTS |
| Woolbright, Brayden | Lexington | 5 |
| Chestnut,Jordan | Spring Valley | 3 |
| Mack, Jvon | Dutch Fork | 3 |
| Banks, Demenico | White Knoll | 2 |
| Frye, Chris | Lexington | 2 |
| Thomas, Nate | White Knoll | 2 |
| Gamble,Zyier | Sumter | 2 |
| Danley, Landon | Dutch Fork | 2 |
